Melding of mediation flow service component architecture (sca) components

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for melding mediation and adaptation modules of a service component architecture (SCA) system. A method for melding mediation and adaptation modules of an SCA system can include selecting each of a mediation module and an adaptation module in an integrated development tool executing in memory by a processor of a computer and loading respectively different descriptor files for each of the mediation module and the adaptation module. The method further can include combining descriptors from the different descriptor files into a single descriptor file for a melded module. Finally, the method can include modifying names and wiring descriptors in the single descriptor file for the melded module to account for a combination of the mediation component and the adaptation component in the melded component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of component interoperationin a service component architecture (SCA) and more particularlymediation and adaptation SCA components.

2. Description of the Related Art

The Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) is a framework that combinesindividual business functions and processes, referred to in the art as“services”, to implement sophisticated business applications andprocesses. In an SOA framework, relatively coarse-grained businesscomponents are exposed as services. SOA structures informationtechnology assets as a series of reusable services, which are looselycoupled and are platform-neutral and implementation-neutral. The SOAframework designs solutions as assemblies of services, which areconnected through well-specified interfaces and contracts.

The Service Component Architecture (SCA) is a specification thatdescribes a model for building applications and systems using SOA andsimplifies application development and implementation developed usingSOA. In this regard, the SCA provides a mechanism to buildcoarse-grained components as assemblies of fine-grained components.Consequently, the SCA relieves programmers from the complexity oftraditional middleware programming by abstracting it from businesslogic. SCA further allows developers to focus on writing business logicand can free those developers from the need to spend significantprogramming and design cycles on more low-level implementationtechniques.

An SCA module is the largest composition of tightly-coupled componentsthat are developed and deployed together into an SCA system. The SCAmodule is the basic unit of a loosely-coupled composition within an SCAsystem. Generally, an SCA module contains a set of components, externalservices, entry points, and the wires that interconnect thosecomponents, services and entry points. Modules in turn contributeservice implementations to the SCA system. Entry points define thepublic services provided by the module, which can either be used byother components within the same module or which can be made availablefor use outside the module. These are used to publish services providedby a module using a specified binding. External services within amodule, by comparison, represent remote services provided by othermodules and are external to the SCA module that uses the service. Theseexternal services can be accessed by components within the module likeany service provided by an SCA component and external services usebindings to describe the access to external services.

Common modules requisite to an SCA system include both mediator andadapter modules. Mediation modules are SCA modules that can change theprotocol, the format, content or target of service requests. Mediationmodules operate on messages that are in flight between servicerequesters and service providers that use different communicationprotocols and allow for the routing of messages to different serviceproviders. Mediation modules also can transform messages through theamendment of message content or form. In addition, mediation modules canprovide functions such as message logging, and error processing tailoredto designer requirements. In contrast, Adaptation modules are SCAmodules that only bridge incompatible communication protocols and dataformats between service requestors and service providers.

Traditionally, the SCA lends itself to the separate existence ofmediation and adaptation modules such that each can be developedindependently of one another and each can be maintained and modifiedindependently of one another. However, the performance of an SCA systemutilizing separate and independent mediation and adaptation modulesfalls far short of the case where the adaptation and mediation logicwere included in a single component. Notwithstanding, to include theadaptation and mediation logic in a single component renders the abilityto maintain each function independently null and void.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art inrespect to mediation and adaptation in an SCA system and provide a noveland non-obvious method, system and computer program product for meldingmediation and adaptation modules of an SCA system. A method for meldingmediation and adaptation modules of an SCA system can include selectingeach of a mediation module and an adaptation module in an integrateddevelopment tool executing in memory by a processor of a computer andloading respectively different descriptor files for each of themediation module and the adaptation module. The method further caninclude combining descriptors from the different descriptor files into asingle descriptor file for a melded module. Finally, the method caninclude modifying names and wiring descriptors in the single descriptorfile for the melded module to account for a combination of the mediationcomponent and the adaptation component in the melded module.

In one aspect of the embodiment, selecting each of a mediation moduleand a module component in an integrated development tool can includefirst selecting a mediation template for a mediation module absent animport, and also an adaptation module. Subsequently, a canonicalinterface can be applied to the selected mediation template to produce aselected mediation component contained in a module. Thereafter,descriptor files for the selected mediation component and the adaptationcomponent from the adaptation module can be melded together into asingle component. Additionally, once the single descriptor file has beencreated, the single descriptor file can be loaded for the melded module,component artifacts can be generated for each descriptor in the singledescriptor file, and the artifacts can be deployed as the melded modulein an SCA system defined by the integrated development tool.

In another embodiment of the invention, a software development dataprocessing system can be configured for melding mediation and adaptationmodules of an SCA system. The data processing system can include a hostserver with processor and memory configured for communicative couplingto clients over a computer communications network. The system also caninclude an operating system executing in the host server and anintegrated development tool operating in the operating system. Finally,a mediation component meld module can be coupled to the integrateddevelopment tool.

The module can include program code that when executed by the processorof the host server, loads respectively different descriptor files foreach of a selected mediation module and a selected adaptation module,combines descriptors from the different descriptor files into a singledescriptor file for a melded module, and modifies names and wiringdescriptors in the single descriptor file for the melded module toaccount for a combination of the mediation component and the adaptationcomponent in the melded module. The system also can include a projectrepository of component descriptors, composite descriptors and componenttype descriptors for the SCA system. As such, the program code of themediation component meld module when executed by the processor can storethe single descriptor file for the melded module in the projectrepository. Finally, the system can include different templatedmediation components each lacking an import. Consequently, the programcode of the mediation component meld module can apply a canonicalinterface to a selected one of the templated mediation components toproduce the selected mediation module.

Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The aspectsof the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elementsand combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It isto be understood that both the foregoing general description and thefollowing detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only andare not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute partof this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred,it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to theprecise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a pictorial illustration of a process for melding mediationand adaptation components of an SCA system;

FIG. 1B is a pictorial illustration of a process for melding a templatedmediation component and an adaptation component of an SCA system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an software development dataprocessing system configured for melding mediation and adaptationcomponents of an SCA system; and,

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a process for melding mediation andadaptation components of an SCA system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention provide for a method, system and computerprogram product for the melding of mediation and adaptation modules ofan SCA system into a single, melded module for use in an SCA compositionof an SCA system. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, adescriptor file for a mediation module of an SCA system can be loaded ascan a descriptor file for an adaptation module of the SCA system.Descriptors in each descriptor file can be merged into a single file ofdescriptors. Thereafter, naming and wiring descriptors in the singlefile can be modified to reference the melded components wired togetherrather than the individual mediation and adaptation components.Thereafter, the single file can be persisted for subsequent use ingenerating a run time form of the melded module for the SCA system. Inthis way, the mediation and adaptation module of the SCA system can bemaintained separately, but once combined into a melded module, canachieve optimal runtime performance.

In illustration, FIG. 1A pictorially shows a process for meldingmediation and adaptation module of an SCA system. As shown in FIG. 1, amediation module 110A can be provided as can an adaptation module 110B.The mediation module 110A can specify mediation component logic 140A inaddition to an import 120 and export 130. Likewise, the adaptationmodule can specify mediation component logic 140B in addition to animport 120 and export 130. The import 120 of the mediation component110A can conform to upstream interface 150A, whereas the export providesa reference 160 to the canonical interface 150B of the adaptationcomponent 110B. The adaptation component 110B in turn can include areference 160 conforming to a downstream interface 150C.

Of note, a component meld process 300 can meld together the mediationmodule 110A and the adaptation module 110B into a melded module 110Cincluding the logic both for the mediation component 110A and theadaptation component 110B, as well as the import 120 and the export 130.In this regard, the meld process 300 can load the descriptor files foreach of the mediation component 110A and the adaptation component 110Band the descriptors for each of the files can be combined into a singlefile. The descriptors once combined into a single descriptor file can bemodified to ensure the uniqueness of names in the descriptor file forthe single melded component 110C. Further, the descriptors directed towiring can be modified to ensure the presence of the canonical interface150B matching the export 120 as well as internal wiring between themediation component logic 140A and adaptation component logic 140B.

The process described in connection with FIG. 1 can be expanded upon toaccommodate a templated form of the mediation component 110A fordifferent external mediation services. In illustration, FIG. 1Bpictorially depicts a process for melding a templated mediation moduleand an adaptation module of an SCA system. As before, an adaptationmodule 110B can specify mediation flow component logic 140B in additionto an import 120 and export 130. However, a templated form of mediationmodule 110D can be provided specifying only the mediation componentlogic 140A, export 120, upstream interface 150A and reference 160. Theimport for the mediation, of course, can vary according to a selectedexternal service as set forth by the import 130 of the adaptationcomponent 110B. As such, a canonical interface 150B can be provided atthe time of melding and the component meld process 300 can meld togetherthe templated mediation module 110D with the canonical interface 150Bapplied to the adaptation module 110B into a melded module 110Cincluding the logic both for the templated mediation component 110D andthe adaptation component 110B.

The process described in connection with FIGS. 1A and 1B can beperformed in a software development data process system configured forthe specification of an SCA system. In yet further illustration, FIG. 2is a schematic illustration of an software development data processingsystem configured for melding mediation and adaptation modules of an SCAsystem. The system can include a host server 230 with processor andmemory configured for communicative coupling to different clients 210over computer communications network 220. The host server 230 cansupport the execution of operating system 240 that in turn can host theoperation of an integrated development tool 250 accessible by theclients 210 and configured for developing applications according to aservice oriented architecture (SOA) and more particularly an SCAprogramming model.

In this regard, a project repository 260 can be linked to the hostserver 230 and accessible by the integrated development tool 250 throughthe operating system 240. The project repository 260 can store differentprojects composed within the integrated development tool 250, theprojects generally including different composite descriptor files 270Areferencing different components in different component descriptor files270A with variable aspects dictated by component types stored indifferent component type descriptor files 270C. Of note, module meld 280can be coupled to the integrated development tool 250 and the projectrepository 260. The module meld 280 can include program code enabled tomeld together a mediation module with an adaptation module to produce asingle component descriptor file for a melded module with logic both forthe mediation component and adaptation component.

In even yet further illustration of the operation of the module meld280, FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a process for melding mediationand adaptation modules of an SCA system. Beginning in block 310A and310B, each of a mediation module and an adaptation module can beselected for melding and in block 320A and 320B, a descriptor file foreach can be loaded, each descriptor file including a set of descriptorsspecifying references to implementation logic for each component, andone or more entry points each with a corresponding binding. In block330, the descriptors from each of the loaded files can be combined intoa single file for a melded module.

In block 340A, the interface descriptors can be modified in the combinedsingle file to reflect the entry points and corresponding bindings ofthe combined single file and also the invocation of logic for themediation aspect of the melded module and the adaptation aspect of themelded module. Further, in block 340B, names set forth in thedescriptors in the combined single file can be modified where necessaryto ensure uniqueness within the combined single file. Finally, in block350, the single file can be persisted such that in block 360 the singlefile can be loaded and in block 370 requisite artifacts can be generatedto create an executable form of the melded module from the single filefor deployment into an SCA system.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, radiofrequency, and the like, or anysuitable combination of the foregoing. Computer program code forcarrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may bewritten in any combination of one or more programming languages,including an object oriented programming language and conventionalprocedural programming languages. The program code may execute entirelyon the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention have been described above withreference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods,apparatus (systems) and computer program products according toembodiments of the invention. In this regard, the flowchart and blockdiagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, andoperation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computerprogram products according to various embodiments of the presentinvention. For instance, each block in the flowchart or block diagramsmay represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises oneor more executable instructions for implementing the specified logicalfunction(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware andcomputer instructions.

It also will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also beloaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, orother devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed onthe computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce acomputer implemented process such that the instructions which execute onthe computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

Finally, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of theinvention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

Having thus described the invention of the present application in detailand by reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent thatmodifications and variations are possible without departing from thescope of the invention defined in the appended claims as follows:

1. A method for melding mediation and adaptation modules of a servicecomponent architecture (SCA) system, the method comprising: selectingeach of a mediation module and an adaptation module in an integrateddevelopment tool executing in memory by a processor of a computer, eachof the mediation module and the adaptation module comprising at leastone mediation flow component; loading respectively different descriptorfiles for each of the mediation module and the adaptation module;combining descriptors from the different descriptor files into a singledescriptor file for a melded module; and, modifying names and wiringdescriptors in the single descriptor file for the melded module toaccount for a combination of mediation flow components from each of themediation module and the adaptation module in the melded module.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein selecting each of a mediation module and anadaptation module in an integrated development tool executing in memoryby a processor of a computer, comprises: selecting a mediation templatefor a mediation module absent an import, and also an adaptation module;and, applying a canonical interface to the selected mediation templateto produce a selected mediation component in a module.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: loading the single descriptor file for themelded module; generating component artifacts for each descriptor in thesingle descriptor file; and, deploying the artifacts as the meldedcomponent in an SCA system defined by the integrated development tool.4-9. (canceled)